India’s 30 probables for the 2015 World Cup

The captain of the ship, the leader, Dhoni will be the beacon of the team down under Wicket-keeper, middle order batsman and chief strategist. (Source: PTI)

A certain pick! Virat Kohli has scored enough runs in the last four years to cement his second World Cup appearance. After being a part of the 2011 World Cup-winning team, Kohli would like to add another World Cup medal to his kitty. (Source: IE File)

Regular opener Shikhar Dhawan needs to get his act right in Australia. The kind of starts he can provide can hand India the early upper hand. It's time the moustache twirls! (Source: IE File)

Opener, middle-order batsman, back as an opener and now back in the middle order. Such has been Rahane's career so far. But with Rohit back in the mix, Rahane will play a very crucial and holding role in the Indian middle order which lacks a bit of stability. (Source: IE File)

In all likelihood, Rohit will set the ball rolling for the Men in Blue Down Under. India's chances will depend on how the openers fare in conditions not favourable for batting. (Source: IE File)

Included as a possible third opener, Murali Vijay has proved his credentials in the longer formats but his abilities in the shorter format, leaving the IPL aside, are yet to be tested. It is unlikely that he would board the flight for the Cup Down Under, but an injury or woeful form of the regular openers might just improve his chances. (Source: IE File)

He has been in some touch...Suresh Raina is striking the ball well and striking it clean. The pacy wickets Down Under will assist his game, and he will be a vital cog. (Source: BCCI)

The Maharashtra run-machine will find it difficult to break in the World Cup squad. There is nothing wrong with the runs he has scored or the form he has been in, but just the scenario he is at the moment. There is just no opening in the middle-order. (Source: BCCI)

The stylish Karnataka opener has been in the reckoning for a slot in the main team for a while but his inclusion is highly unlikely to make it as a middle order batsman. (Source: IE FIle)

Robin Uthappa can well be the dark horse! He can tonk the ball hard, can keep the wickets and is athletic in the middle. His stint with the KKR did wonders to his confidence, and a decent domestic season only improved his case. (Source: BCCI)

Wriddhiman Saha! They called him the 'best keeper in the country' but were not sure about his skills with the bat. He was been the 2nd option since a long time, but an impressive IPL season with the Kings XI Punjab has strengthened his case. (Source: BCCI)

Talent, talent and more talent! But consistency is all he needs at the moment. He shows a lot of promise and wow moments during his stay in the middle, but it doesn't last long. The Kerala keeper-batsman can only make the 15 if Dhoni misses out. (Source: PTI)

Manoj Tiwary. There was nothing selectors could do about this right-hander. They picked him when he scored, he got injured and went off the radar. Now that he's looking in good shape, and has scored some decent runs in the domestic circuit, Tiwary will definitely give the selectors a good headache. He will be fighting with Rayudu for the middle-order slot. (Source: IE File)

Here, there and nowhere was Ambati Rayudu's case before India's home series against Sri Lanka. After going in and out of the side, Rayudu grabbed the No.3 opportunity with both hands and presented his case with an impressive tally. (Source: PTI)

Aaron's inclusion in any squad is a gamble as the speedster is vulnerable to injuries. But if in flow, he can cause some serious damage with his express pace. (Source: IE File)

The Bengal fast bowler is a sure pick for the 15 man main squad. He has been the highest wicket taker in 2014. He bowls at 140+ kph with ease and has a good yorker too. (Source:, BCCI)

He has been around the scene for a long time, but is yet to make consistent appearances. Blame it on injury or some very erratic show with the ball. Australia, though, might be his tour to fame! The pace and bounce which the wickets offer are tailor-made for his style of bowling. (Source: IE File)

Bhuvi will be the bowler to watch out for. His ability to strike early, and bowl long spells, will come handy for Dhoni. The series preceding the World Cup will give the UP seamer enough idea about the conditions on offer. (Source: IE File)

The senior most bowler in the team will not only have to get his act right with the ball, but also lead the pack like Zaheer did back in 2011. (Source: IE File)

The Haryana seamer may have an outside chance to make it in the top 15 as he is a trusted performer for MS Dhoni at his IPL franchisee. His variations and ability to out-fox the batsman may be the key factor. (Source: Reuters)

6 for 4, yes you read that right, 6 wickets for 4 runs. Stuart Binny recorded the best bowling figures by an Indian bowler when a second string India side toured Bangladesh. (Source: PTI)

Dinda has been rewarded for his outings for Bengal but the seamer is unlikely to break into the first 15. (Source: PTI)

The Mumbai seamer is highly unlikey to make the cut. He bowls gentle seam ups and relies more on swing than bounce. (Source: BCCI)

The senior most spinner in the squad, Ashwin is expected to play a crucial role. He loves the shorter formats but it is important that he doesn't overdo the variation bit. (Source: IE File)

Sir Jadeja will for sure feature in the squad, but he will get stiff competition from Axar Patel, who is having a dream run so far. (Source: IE File)

It has been a fairytale for Axar. KXIP picked him while they were looking for cheaper spin options and he delivered the goods. His performances impressed the selectors who drafted him in the ODI set-up and he repaid the faith with some very impressive outings in the middle. (Source: BCCI)

The Asia Cup gave hints that Amit Mishra would be Dhoni's go-to man in the World Cup, but a disappointing business end of the tournament, and some ordinary outings later, Amit has slowly gone off the radar. Even in the domestic contests, he is struggling to get his act right. (Source: PTI)

The J&K offie was a surprise inclusion the 30-man list. He is more suited to subcontinent pitches. (Source: IE File)

Karn Sharma has been making the right noises at the right time. His string of good performances in the fringe series and the practice matches in Australia have been impressive. (Source: PTI)

A left-arm chinaman bowler is a rare breed. India have one, and don't want to waste it on the bench. Unlikely that Kuldeep Yadav will find a place in the final 15, but the inclusion would have done the youngster's confidence a world of good. (Source: PTI)